Community invited for National Night Out
Members of the Wills Point Police Department were recognized for their service during National Night Out Aug. 2. Officers included Lonnie Carroll, Adam Wall, Aaron Long, Bernardo Garza, Chief Rob Powell, Mike Samford, Cassie Mosley and Tyler Scott.
More than 100 people made their way to the Wills Point Community Center Aug. 2, recognizing the service and dedication of law enforcement officers at the city’s first ever National Night Out event.
NNO has been a growing tradition for communities all over the country since its first inception more than three decades ago, carrying a stated goal of “promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live.”
Once the call went out that the community was invited to the local NNO event, local churches included Mill Creek Fellowship, First Baptist Church in Wills Point and New Release Fellowship in Wills Point joining forces to provide food and refreshments for all attendees.
Wills Point Police Chief Rob Powell was one of the two main speakers of Tuesday night’s event, thanking the community for their support of first responders and law enforcement officials.
Powell went on to introduce each officer in attendance, including officers Lonnie Carroll, Adam Wall, Aaron Long, Cassie Mosley and Tyler Scott, as well as sergeants Bernardo Garza and Mike Samford. Another officers that was not available to attend to a prior obligation, J.D. Morris, was also introduced.
Mayor Mark Turner closed the night’s events, offering a presentation entitled “Community Blue.” The presentation focused on not only on the rights and responsibilities of law enforcement officers, but also the rights and responsibilities of community members in regards to their interaction with law enforcement officers.
Turner explained, “Law enforcement personnel are held to a high standard. They have rights and responsibilities that exist within a framework of operation. Citizens lack a standard framework as a result of our rights but must be responsible in the exercise of freedoms and become people that add to the community and not detract from it.”
Following the presentation, many in attendance took the opportunity to mix and mingle with law enforcement officers, shaking hands, giving hugs and saying thanks.
